The Fort Hays State women's basketball team goes for its eighth-straight victory Saturday (Feb. 10) against Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Okla. Opening tip is set for 1:30 p.m. from Hamilton Field House.
 
The Tigers enter the weekend 19-4 on the year and 10-4 in conference play, while the Bronchos are 18-5 overall and 9-5 in league action. FHSU currently sits in third in the MIAA standings, one game back of second place. The Tigers own the longest active winning streak in the conference.
 
Fort Hays State is 8-3 against UCO all-time, with all three losses coming on the road (2-3). Tony Hobson led the Tigers to victory in his first six games against UCO, compiling a 7-2 record against the Bronchos. FHSU is 2-2 in Edmond under Hobson. The home team has won each of the last four games and nine of the 11 games in the series.
 
Saturday's matchup features the top two shot-blocking teams in the conference, with UCO ranking eighth in the country with 5.5 blocks per game and FHSU close behind in 12th with 5.3 swats each night.
 
Emma Stroyan has turned in several strong performances over the last month, scoring in double figures in six of the last seven games. Tatyana Legette leads the team with 13.2 points per contest with Carly Heim (11.5 ppg) and Kacey Kennett (10.5 ppg) also averaging in double figures.
 
Central Oklahoma has dropped three of its last five contests after opening the year 14-1, reaching as high as 15th in the WBCA Coaches Poll. The Bronchos are 10-1 at home this year, losing only to Pittsburg State inside Hamilton Field House. They limit opponents to a 34.4 percent effort from the floor, best in the conference. UCO ranks second in the conference with a free throw percentage of 80.2 percent. They clean up the glass very well, grabbing a league-high 42.6 rebounds per game.
 
After earning first team All-MIAA honors last year, Melinda Murillo leads the offensive effort again this season, averaging 17.0 points and 3.6 assists per contest. Senior forward Jesheon Cooper is a commanding presence in the paint, ranking second in the league with 10.3 rebounds while leading the league and ranking 12th in the country with 3.0 blocks each game.